Russian officials announced on Sunday that they are still waiting for Ukraine to confirm a planned exchange of 6,000 bodies of soldiers killed in action. They claim that Ukraine has postponed the swap. This exchange, which was agreed upon during talks in Istanbul, is crucial for both sides amid ongoing tensions.
According to Russian state media, Lt. Gen. Alexander Zorin stated that Russia has already delivered the first batch of 1,212 bodies of Ukrainian soldiers to the agreed-upon exchange site at the border. However, he mentioned that there are indications the transfer might be delayed until next week. Zorin also questioned whether Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was making a personal decision to halt the process or if NATO was influencing this decision.
In response, Ukrainian officials maintain that they are following the agreements made in Istanbul. Kyrylo Budanov, Ukraine’s intelligence chief, criticized Russia for trying to dictate the terms of the exchange. He emphasized that the process should involve careful planning and should not be subject to pressure or manipulation.
The situation is further complicated by conflicting claims from both sides. Russian aide Vladimir Medinsky alleged that Ukraine called off the swap at the last minute, despite refrigerated trucks carrying over 1,200 Ukrainian bodies already being at the border. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s agency responsible for such exchanges stated that no date has been set for the repatriation, and accused Russia of submitting incorrect lists of prisoners for repatriation.
In addition to the body exchange discussions, Russia also reported military advances into the Dnipropetrovsk region of Ukraine, claiming to have reached the western edge of the Donetsk region. This marks a significant development, as it would be the first time Russian troops have pushed into this area during the ongoing conflict. Ukraine has not yet responded to these claims, and independent verification remains challenging.
The backdrop of these events includes ongoing aerial attacks. Recent Russian strikes in the Kharkiv region resulted in casualties, with reports of multiple deaths and injuries. Ukraine’s air force reported that they intercepted many Russian drones during these operations. Meanwhile, Ukrainian drone attacks have also targeted Russian regions, causing injuries and prompting temporary flight suspensions at Moscow’s international airports.
As both sides continue to exchange accusations and military actions, the situation remains tense, with the body exchange being a rare opportunity for humanitarian progress amid the ongoing conflict.